Here are some the questions we often get from inquirers. Click the question to see our response.
Have another question that's not listed here? Contact us and let us know!
Aren't religious orders Roman Catholic?
Not at all. Other Christian communions have religious orders as well, and there are ecumenical orders like ours. In the Anglican communion, for example, the Franciscan tradition is represented by the Society of Saint Francis and the TSSF. Anglicans also have the Order of the Holy Cross (Benedictine), the Order of Julian of Norwich, and others (For a list of Anglican orders and religious communities, click here.). In the United Methodist Church, the Order of Saint Luke "is dedicated to sacramental and liturgical scholarship, education, and practice." The most well-known ecumenical religious community is probably the Taizé community in France, noted for its approach to worship with the simple beauty of chant and silence.
The Order of Ecumenical Franciscans is catholic in that we affirm the catholicity (universality) of the Church, but we are not Roman Catholic. As a truly ecumenical order, the OEF is not under the jurisdiction of any particular communion. We are governed by the leadership of the professed members of the Order in accordance with our Constitution and Bylaws. We welcome members from all Christian traditions.
How many different denominations are part of OEF?
It depends on how you count them, of course, but a scan through our roster shows these traditions represented among our members:
United Church of Christ
Episcopal Church
Roman Catholic Church
Presbyterian Church (PCUSA)
Cooperative Baptist Fellowship
Lutheran (ELCA)
Mennonite
Quaker
Salvation Army
Metropolitan Community Churches
Non-denominational Churches
Unitarian Universalist
United Church of Canada
American Baptist Churches
Assembly of God
Canadian Baptist
By the time this is posted to the Web, there may very well be others!
Where is the OEF headquarters located?
There is not a physical "headquarters" for the OEF. There is an Assistant Director of Formation Counseling in each of several regions of North America who acts as the contact person for inquirers. Our current Minister General lives in Altoona, Pennsylvania. Our most-frequent gathering place for our annual meeting is the Pallottine Renewal Center near St. Louis. To contact us, click here.
When do you gather as on Order?
The gathering of the whole Order takes place in a two-part meeting each year. The first part is our Chapter -- the time when the professed members deal with the business of the Order. The second is Convocation -- a couple of days of community worship, reflection, training, and fellowship. We strongly encourage the curious to come to Convocation as visitors, in order to get to know us personally. Many have found this to be the best single step in deciding whether to pursue membership with OEF.
I am married. What can I do with OEF?
Anything you wish! Our membership consists of people who are both married and single. We do not determine membership based on marital status, gender, or sexual orientation.
Where is the statement of faith for the OEF?
We do not have a statement of faith for the Order. As catholic Christians (that is, as Christians who affirm the universality of the Church), we affirm the faith represented by the two historic Creeds of the Church, the Apostles' Creed and the Nicene Creed.
What kind of habit does the Order wear?
The official "habit" of the OEF is the San Damiano cross each member receives at profession. The use of a habit by professed members is permitted by the Order, but not expected. We encourage those who choose a habit to carefully consider their reasons for wearing one. Most of those who wear a habit are those members who are clergy and use it in liturgical settings.
Are all your members clergy?
Absolutely not! In fact, the Franciscan movement was originally a lay movement. It didn't take long before the Franciscan orders became thoroughly "clergified" like other religious orders, but we strongly affirm the presence and leadership of all people, lay and clergy, as part of the OEF.
I am gay. Is there a place in the Order for me?
Yes. This Order makes no distinction and does not determine membership based on gender or sexual orientation.
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